| A well-laid path is essential for the successful | | | | permits water to seep through, but prevents the |
| management of every garden. The direction that it | | | | mud from squeezing upwards. |
| takes must be very clearly thought through to | | | | There are all kinds of gravel and gravel-like materials |
| ensure its efficiency. It must be arranged so that | | | | that can be used for path construction, but all require |
| there are no temptations to cut corners across the | | | | a proper edging to retain the material. Many |
| lawn or flower beds and yet as far as possible it | | | | gardeners choose 15mm (1/2in) gravel as this is |
| should be unobtrusive. | | | | substantial and looks good. It is not the best utility |
| Like the garden itself, a path should be properly | | | | choice though for it is quite difficult to push a |
| drained, especially if it is to be constructed from | | | | wheelbarrow or pushchair over and it creates havoc |
| gravel or a similar porous material. Surrounding ground | | | | with high-heeled shoes. |
| must also be drained in such a way that the path | | | | Fine shingle makes a far better surface providing that |
| does not become a watercourse during periods of | | | | it is not scattered too liberally. However the best of |
| heavy rain or after snow-melt in colder districts. The | | | | all is self-binding gravel. This is of gravel-like |
| scouring out of neatly raked gravel by fast-flowing | | | | appearance but of such a texture that it binds |
| ground water can be a great source of irritation. | | | | together in a neat hard surface. Once laid it merely |
| Before construction, consider the possibility of the | | | | needs rolling with a garden roller. Crushed limestone |
| path also being the line that takes services. Water | | | | can also serve the purpose, but it tends to become |
| and electricity can very conveniently be directed | | | | dusty during dry weather and stick to shoes on wet |
| along the line of the path so that there is never any | | | | days. It can also increase the alkalinity of nearby soil. |
| danger of interference from cultivation. It is ill-advised | | | | Concrete is a serviceable but harsh option, which if |
| to place such services beneath a solid path, such as | | | | laid properly with expansion joints, will last indefinitely. |
| concrete, but ready access can be gained through | | | | It is not a comfortable path to walk along or work |
| gravel, or beneath a paved path. | | | | from in hot weather, as there is considerable |
| A sound foundation is vital, even for a simple gravel | | | | reflection and glare. The same applies to some of the |
| path. If a generous layer of stone foundation is not | | | | modern paving slabs made from reconstituted stone. |
| laid down first of all it is almost certain that mud will | | | | Select these with great care choosing softer more |
| squeeze through and within a season the path will | | | | subtle colors to reduce discomfort. Also carefully |
| become an unpleasant mud and gravel mixture which | | | | select the surface. There are a number of more or |
| will then play host to weeds. Prevent this by using | | | | less non-slip surfaces available; the most natural |
| fabric landscape matting laid over the soil in the path | | | | looking of which is referred to as riven paving. |
| area before spreading the gravel. Such material | | | | |